Ondo: PDP Calls For Poll Shift …As Jegede Insists He’s Unstoppable

The Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the November 26 governorship election in Ondo State.

The National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Dayo Adeyeye said in a statement yesterday in Abuja, that the election should be postponed pending the determination of its suit before the Supreme Court.

The Court of Appeal panel led by Justice Ibrahim Salauwa on Friday reserved judgment on the appeal challenging the ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court recognising Jimoh Ibrahim as PDP candidate for the Ondo State guber poll.

Adeyeye said that the call was important as INEC, Makarfi and Eyitayo Jegede, the faction’s candidate in the election were all party to the suit.

“We make this call against the backdrop of the fact that INEC is a party to the suit before the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

“INEC is well aware of the steps taken by certain parties to the suit to frustrate the course of justice.

“We also make this call against the backdrop of the fact that INEC postponed the Edo State gubernatorial elections and recently postponed the Rivers State re-run elections without any cogent or visible reason,’’ he said.

Adeyeye said that the decision of Salauwa to reserve judgment was taken as a result of a petition written against the panel.

He said that Salauwa said that the petition was addressed to the Chief Justice of the Federation and Chairman, National Judicial Commission (NJC) alleging acts of corruption, bias and breach of oaths of office.

“Furthermore, the respondents had filed a motion at the Supreme Court in which the Justices of Court of Appeal panel were named co-respondents in their personal capacities.

“ The indefinite adjournment is a consequence of the latest of several mischievous actions taken by Messrs Biyi Poroye, Jimoh Ibrahim and their legal team led by Mr Ben Nwofor (SAN).

“This outright bullying and intimidation of the Justices of the Court of Appeal is enabled by the recent invasion of the homes of Justices of the Supreme Court.’’

Adeyeye called on members and supporters of PDP in Ondo State and across the country to remain calm.

“We believe that there are men and women of integrity in the judiciary who will ensure that this act of injustice does not stand,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction of the PDP, has urged INEC, the judiciary and members of the public to disregard the call for the postponement of the election.

A statement signed by Sheriff’s deputy, Cairo Ojougboh, said the faction was ready for the election.

But even as the political fireworks rage, the governorship hopeful under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Eyitayo Jegede SAN, who arrived Ondo State and touched down at the border town of Isua Akoko, yesterday, after weeks of being in Abuja to reclaim his mandate at the Appeal Court, told his supporters that they are unstoppable.

Jegede, who stormed the state and was received by hundreds of enthusiastic supporters, party members and residents of Akoko at the Isua junction, boundary with Edo State, assured his supporters that all hope was not yet lost with the Appeal Court’s decision.

The people chanted his name as well as several solidarity songs such as “After Iroko who be next?”, restating their support for him for next Saturday’s election not minding the ongoing litigation.

In a brief address, Jegede said he is always greatly encouraged by the rousing reception and solidarity, assuring that collectively, they will soon emerge triumphant.

“My driving force to forge ahead has been God and the unprecedented solidarity from you my people in spite of all adversaries that we contend with everyday. Very soon, we shall triumph because we are unstoppable “.

At Oka Akoko, where he made another stop-over, and was cheered by another large crowd, Jegede advised the people to keep, intact, their permanent voters cards to enable them vote him, expressing optimism that the case in court will be over early next week.

“They keep asking us what makes us confident that we will contest this election. We say we have God who rules in the affairs of men. By early next week, the Pharaoh we see today, we will see them no more,” Jegede declared to hundreds of elated supporters.

Jegede was also at Akungba, Ikare, Oke Agbe, Owo and other towns in the northern senatorial district of the state where he advised members to continue with their campaigns to enable him emerge victorious next week Saturday.

On ground to receive the guber hopeful were; his running mate, John Ola Mafo, Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Fatai Olotu, party leaders like Debo Ologunagba, Akin Akinbobola, Taiye Afilaka, Tony Ala, among others.